Alberto Contador, the two-time winner of the Tour de France, believes he
remains in the running for this year's race alongside bookmakers' favourite
Chris Froome.

Team Sky's Froome, who won the Criterium du Dauphiné on Sunday 4min 27sec ahead of Contador who finished in 10th spot, was installed as many bookmakers' favourite to be standing on the top of the podium in Paris on July 21 after team-mate Sir Bradley Wiggins withdrew from his title defence last month.

The Kenyan-born rider received a further boost during last week's Dauphiné when he beat Contador by 2min 45sec in the 32.5-kilometre time-trial before later beating the Spaniard in his natural habitat, on the slopes of the Montée de Valmorel, during his stage five victory.

Contador, though, remains confident that he can recapture the form that saw him win two Tours before testing positive for clenbuterol. “I’m happy because the sensations are very good regardless of the result," the 30 year-old said. "I've mostly been focusing on getting stronger and I'm very happy with my present form. I will be in top condition for the Tour de France.”

Despite finishing the Dauphiné behind riders of such high calibre as Richie Porte, Daniel Moreno, Jakob Fuglsang, Alejandro Valverde and Samuel Sánchez, Contador remains adamant that his "main rival in this year's Tour de France will be Chris Froome."

The Spaniard did, though, concede that other riders could come into the mix "on the course".

Contador said: “The answer as to who will win will come on the course. With Froome, I think we are both in top condition and have a very high level in the time-trial. In the mountains we are about equal and will have to fight it out.

"I feel very good. The [Dauphiné] result is of secondary importance. Every day was better, I am very happy with my form. I'm not saying I will start in better shape than in previous years. But it will not be worse.

"Tejay Van Garderen is among the best this year," Contador told Belgian television show Sportweekend. "He is still very young and at any time can make the leap to the top. He can win the Tour."

Contador, who won a third Tour in controversial circumstances in 2010 before being stripped of the title following his positive test for clenbuterol, added, somewhat bizarrely, that he will be aiming to win a fourth title in July despite the record books showing that he has only two titles to his name.

“The one in 2010 remains mine," Contador added. "Even if it is no longer in the record books.”

Meanwhile, Cannondale’s Peter Sagan claimed victory on stage three of the Tour of Switzerland and Mathias Frank of BMC Racing took the overall lead, but a crash threatened to derail Garmin-Sharp's Ryder Hesjedal’s Tour de France hopes. The Canadian had started the day second in general classification, but ended it on his way to hospital to be evaluated after falling in the rain-swept conditions.